Chittenango Falls could be considered a staircase cascade, with it's nearly even drops, one after another down Onondaga Limestone. The number and height of the drops, sends water flying in the air. In the creek below, the water then twists and turns around rocks and small outcroppings of plants and grasses. With the gorge enhancing the sound of the falls, we found ourselves exploring the interesting rocks and plant life around the creek for hours.

Helen Fairchild formed the Chittenango Falls Park Association, which managed the privately owned park 1887 through 1922, when she handed over control to the state. Since then the state has increased those original 40 acres to 194!

The park has unique plant and animal life including endangered species. The Ovate Amber Snail lives only under the rocks found in and around the falls. It is found nowhere else in the world. Also the very rare and environment-sensitive Hart's Tongue Fern and the succulent Roseroot can be found growing on the gorge walls. Both species are very rare and are found only in damp, rocky environments like the areas immediately surrounding the falls. It's very important not to remove any plants or animals from this park. It's critical that you do not cross the barriers at the base of the falls to get closer to it. Since the endangered snails live underneath the rocks, simply stepping on the rocks, can crush several of them.

Wizard of Oz writer L. Frank Baum was born in Chittenango. The L. Frank Baum Oz Museum is a worthy stop.  There are yellow bricks roads in Chittenango- although they are sidewalks, not roads.

Alpacas. Not native to the park, in fact, not found in the park. But the Apple Ridge Alpaca farm in nearby Cazenovia hosts many of these unique animals. Stop by to say hello and if you have room in the car, pick one up. Website.

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Chittenango Falls - Madison County